by Dilly Court
‘I don’t know,’ she said wearily. ‘Just as far away from Little Creek as possible.’
Dr Godfrey tapped on the roof with his cane. ‘Drive on.’
‘We’re heading back to Little Creek,’ Judy said in a sudden panic. ‘Tell the coachman to stop. I can’t go home.’
‘I’m taking you to Creek Hall. I was on my way there anyway. You need those cuts and bruises attended to.’
‘You don’t understand,’ Judy said in desperation. ‘I can’t allow anyone to see me in this state. If it gets back to Ma—’ She broke off, covering her mouth with her hand. She had said too much, and even in the dim light she could see from his expression that Dr Godfrey understood.
‘I’ve met your stepfather on a couple of occasions,’ he said calmly. ‘I didn’t take to the fellow. Is he the reason you were running away?’
‘I don’t want to talk about it, but please, Dr Godfrey, I can’t go to Creek Hall.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that no one knows apart from Nick and his wife.’
‘You won’t keep anything from Mrs Bee, and some of the servants from Creek Manor now work at the hospital.’
‘Mrs Bee is the soul of discretion, I’m sure. You’ll have to trust me, but I can’t allow you to wander the country lanes alone and at night.’ He took off his overcoat and laid it over her. ‘When we get there just sit tight and wait for me to come out and get you. That way we’ll make sure no one sees you.’
‘My mother and I have been working there,’ Judy said through chattering teeth. ‘She mustn’t find out.’
‘I understand your concern, but I don’t agree with you.’ He held up his hand. ‘But I promise to do as you wish. I know that Nick and Dove will want to help you, as I do.’
Judy huddled beneath his coat and the warmth began to seep back into her tired bones. Despite her pain and distress she found herself drifting off to sleep, comforted by the scent of maleness, bay rum and a mere hint of carbolic, no doubt from the hospital.
‘Judy, wake up.’
She opened her eyes and found the interior of the carriage suffused with light from a lantern held by Dr Godfrey. ‘Where are we?’
‘We’re at Creek Hall. There’s no one about to see you.’ He held out his hand and Judy allowed him to help her down from the carriage. ‘I won’t be needing you again tonight, Carter. Dr Neville’s man will see that you’re fed and find you a bed for the night.’
‘Yes, Doctor.’ Carter drove off in the direction of the stables, leaving Judy to follow Dr Godfrey into the house.
Nick and Dove were waiting for them in the entrance hall, and Dove rushed forward to fling her arms around Judy. ‘Don’t worry. No one will know you’re here. Come with me and I’ll find you some dry clothes.’
Judy was too exhausted to argue and allowed Dove to lead her upstairs. In the sanctity of Dove’s bedroom she made Judy sit down while she went through the garments in a clothes press. ‘I was shocked when Ben told us that you’d been assaulted, but you can trust us to be discreet. However,’ she added, taking a soft woollen wrap from the press and a fine lawn nightgown, ‘he mustn’t be allowed to get away with such behaviour.’
‘No, you don’t understand. He’ll deny it and he’ll say I encouraged him. I don’t care for myself but I won’t have my mother upset.’
‘My dear, it will be even worse if she finds out the hard way. How would you feel if Faulkner turned on your mother?’
‘He won’t, or at least, I don’t think he would hurt her. He’s just a disgusting man. I’d rather not talk about it.’
‘I understand. Let’s get you out of those wet clothes, and into something warm and dry. Nick will take a look at your injuries and then Mrs Bee will make up something tasty for you to eat.’
‘She might tell Ma what he did to me.’
‘You can trust her implicitly. Mrs Bee is a good sort and she won’t say a word, if that’s what you want.’
‘Yes, it is, and tomorrow I need to get away from Little Creek. I can’t live in the same village as that brute.’
‘No, of course not, but we’ll talk about it again when you’re feeling better. I’m sorry, Judy, I know you’ve had a bad time since Jack left for the other side of the world. I wish he’d stayed, but there’s no gainsaying Jay when he sets his mind on something.’
Judy was too tired to argue and she undressed as obediently as a small child. Dove uttered a gasp of disgust. ‘Just look at those bruises on your side and back. That man should be in prison for what he’s done to you.’
‘We all thought he was a decent enough fellow, although I had heard rumours about his quick temper. Nate and Pip spoke highly of him in the beginning, but maybe he’s different when he’s working with men. Ma loves him, and that’s enough for me. I don’t want to break her heart.’
Dove pursed her lips as she slipped the clean nightgown over Judy’s head, and helped her into the warm woollen wrap. ‘I’d break something over his head if I had my way.’ She opened a cupboard door and took out a pair of slippers. ‘Put these on and then I’ll get Nick to look you over, although I don’t think you’ve broken any bones, and the cuts on your face are nasty, but they don’t look deep enough to need stitching.’
Judy smiled and winced at the pain from her cut lip. ‘That’s one mercy, I suppose.’
‘At least you haven’t lost your sense of humour,’ Dove said with a smile. ‘I’ve made up a bed for you in the next room. The servants don’t come to this wing of the house every day, so no one will bother you. I’ll bring you some supper.’
A hot meal and a dose of laudanum, prescribed by Nick, had a soporific effect, and Judy slept well that night. She awakened early and for a moment she could not think why she was in a room at Creek Hall, but as she tried to sit up the pain from her bruises was a sharp reminder. Nick and Dove had both tried to persuade her to stay and shame Wilfred Faulkner, but Judy had made up her mind to leave before anyone saw her. She had a little money saved from her earnings, which she reckoned was just enough to get her to London, where she was sure that Mrs Marshall would once again help her to find work. It would be a new beginning far away from Little Creek and the unhappy memories that had almost ruined her life. She dressed in the garments that were more or less dry and she opened the door carefully. There was no one about, although she could hear sounds coming from the wing where the patients had their rooms, but that was on the far side of the building. If she left now she would be in time to catch the first train to London. With her bundle tucked under her arm she crept downstairs and was about to cross the hall to let herself out of the front door when she saw a familiar figure coming towards her.
‘Ma! What are you doing here so early in the morning?’
‘I came to take you home, love.’
‘No. That’s not a good idea, Ma.’
‘Don’t worry about him. He’s gone. I threw him out with the aid of me walking stick.’
‘But how did you know?’
‘Nancy Noon heard the goings-on, and she popped out of next door like a Jack-in-a-box to warn me. I found Wilf in such a state as I’d never seen before, and when I saw the broken stool and a smear of blood on the cupboard door, I knew that Nancy was telling the truth. He tried to give me some cock-and-bull story about you trying to make up to him, but I knew he was lying.’
‘I’m not trying to excuse him, Ma, but he’s your husband. You had that beautiful summer wedding before the old manor house burned to the ground. It was a lovely day.’
‘No one hurts one of my kids,’ Hilda said defiantly. ‘He’s gone and he ain’t never going to set foot in our house again. It’s you and me from now on.’
Judy eyed her mother curiously. ‘It’s really early, Ma. How did you know I was here?’
Hilda’s lips curved in a wry smile. ‘She told me not to tell you, but Dove sent a note with Billy, the head groom. She said that Dr Godfrey had found you on the road to Maldon and brought you here.’
Judy acknowle
dged this piece of information with a nod. She had asked Dove not to tell anyone of her whereabouts, but she could hardly blame her for breaking that trust. Perhaps running away was not the solution. She gave her mother a hug. ‘I’m glad she did, Ma. And I’m sorry you found out about Wilfred like this.’
Hilda sniffed and turned her head away. ‘I’d seen things in him that I didn’t see before we were married, but he was good at hiding his nasty side. Our marriage would have come to grief sooner or later, Judy. I’m just sorry you had to suffer. Anyway, let’s go and put the kettle on. We’ll have a quiet cup of tea before the others come down to start work.’
It was obvious when the rest of the staff arrived that news of Wilfred Faulkner’s appalling behaviour had spread throughout the village, but everyone maintained a tactful silence, and work went on as usual. Judy opted to remain at the Hall, and she carried on as well she could, although she was limited by the pain from her bruised ribs. She was very conscious of the bruises on her cheek, her swollen lip and the cut on her forehead, but she was lucky to have escaped a black eye, and she was grateful to her friends for their tactful silence. The events of last evening were something she would rather forget, and her mother was there at her side, like a protective guard dog.
Judy was polishing the floor in the Nevilles’ private parlour when Dr Godfrey walked into the room. She scrambled to her feet.
‘I’ll come back later, Doctor.’
He held up his hand. ‘No, please don’t go on my behalf. I came to see how you are.’ He gave her a critical look. ‘You should be at home, resting.’
‘No, really, I’m better off here. It takes my mind off my aches and pains,’ Judy said with an attempt at a smile.
‘I heard that your mother had sent the brute packing. I admire her spirit, and yours, too.’
‘Thank you, Doctor.’
‘What will you do now, Judy? Will you stay on here?’
‘For the time being, I suppose. Although, even with both of us working, we can barely make ends meet. I’m grateful to Dr Neville for keeping me on, but I need to find something that will pay better.’
‘Will you sit down for a moment? I have something to say that might interest you.’
Judy eyed him warily, but she could see that he was serious and she perched on the edge of an upright chair. ‘I’m listening.’
Dr Godfrey sat down in an armchair, facing her. ‘Nick and I have been talking things over. It was his suggestion in the first place, but I can see the benefits to both of us and the community.’
Judy stared at him nonplussed. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand.’
‘I’m putting this badly, but it concerns Creek Manor.’
‘Which is just a pile of ashes now.’
‘Precisely, and the person who bought the manor and the title is no longer interested in it. The whole estate is up for sale again, and Nick and I are trying to find investors so that we can buy the land and rebuild the property.’
‘You want to be lord of the manor?’
‘No, not at all. We want to build a proper hospital, one that is modern and large enough to serve the whole area, not just the village. I want to specialise in orthopaedics, and in particular the rehabilitation of people crippled by spinal injury.’
‘Like Jack.’
He nodded. ‘Yes, like him and many other unfortunates who are destined to spend their lives dependent on others, or begging on the streets. Once we have the money we will put in an offer for the estate and build a splendid hospital. I think that you would make a very good nurse, Judy. You could train and specialise in orthopaedics. I would be more than happy to have you on my team.’
He smiled and Judy was struck once again by the warm golden lights in his brown eyes. She could imagine how he must soothe his nervous patients, but she was in no mood to be charmed, and she shook her head. ‘Thank you, Doctor, I think a new hospital is a wonderful idea, but I don’t think I’m cut out to be a nurse.’
‘That’s a pity, but I’m sure we could find work for you, and your mother, too.’
It was Judy’s turn to smile. ‘I think we’d better wait until the hospital is built before we come to a decision.’
‘You’re right, of course, and if you don’t mind me saying so, it’s good to see you haven’t lost your fighting spirit, Judy.’
‘I was born and raised in Green Dragon Yard, and you have to be tough to survive in that place.’
‘All the more reason to admire your courage.’ Dr Godfrey went to open the door, but he hesitated, looking back over his shoulder. ‘I want you to think of me as a friend, Judy. Perhaps we could start by you calling me Ben.’
‘They call you Dr God at the hospital.’
‘I answer to anything but that,’ he said, laughing. ‘But I hope you’ll come to me if you have any more problems. I’m returning to London tomorrow, where I hope to raise the money to buy the land when it comes up for sale, but I’ll be back in Little Creek quite often.’
‘But what will happen to Dr Neville’s hospital if you build a larger one on the other side of the creek?’
‘We’ve talked about that, and we will work together to make sure that Creek Hall Hospital remain the centre of excellence for the village, but it’s too small for our purposes. The new venture will be more specialised.’
‘It sounds very exciting,’ Judy said earnestly.
‘It is. I can hardly wait to begin.’ He hesitated in the doorway. ‘Don’t work too hard. You need to look after yourself, Judy.’
Judy acknowledged this statement with a brief nod, but she did not respond to his engaging smile, and as he left the room she went down on her knee to resume her work. She admired Dr Godfrey tremendously, but it would take her a long time to recover from Jack’s sudden departure, and she might never cease to wonder if she had made the right decision. As things were, she had no interest in exploring a new relationship.
‘Judy! Haven’t you finished in here yet?’ Hilda stood in the doorway, arms akimbo. ‘You should have gone home and rested, as I said.’
‘I’m all right, Ma.’ Judy stood up with difficulty. She did not want to admit it, but her mother was right, and now every bone in her body ached. ‘I’m coming now.’
‘I should think so. Anyway, Dr Neville has given me a bottle of arnica to put on your bruises, and I want you to have a lie-down when we get home.’
‘Yes, Ma.’ Judy had no wish to return to the tiny cottage overlooking the creek, but she had no choice.
Nancy Noon was leaning against her doorpost when Hilda and Judy arrived. ‘I thought he was going to kill you, duck.’ Nancy took the clay pipe from her lips and puffed smoke into the air. ‘I thought about coming round to help you, but I know what men are like when they get like that. I need to take care of meself so that I can look after my aged ma.’
‘Yes, Nancy. Thank you.’ Hilda unlocked the door and hurried into the gloomy living room.
‘Are you all right?’ Nancy asked, peering at Judy. ‘He didn’t – you know what, did he?’
Judy shook her head. ‘I’ve got a few cuts and bruises, but otherwise I’m fine. Thank you for asking.’ Judy hurried after her mother and closed the door before Nancy could hop over the low fence and follow her inside. Nancy was the village busybody. She knew everyone’s business, and it was best to avoid her if possible.
Judy looked round the grim interior and shuddered at the memory of her stepfather’s sudden and unexpected assault. ‘We can’t stay here, Ma. This is a horrible place.’
Hilda was already on her hands and knees trying to coax the fire to light. ‘We haven’t any choice in the matter, love. Where would we go?’
‘I’ve heard that Lemuel Fox was a violent man, and he beat Jay when he was a boy, which is why he ran away to sea. Perhaps it’s this cottage that makes men violent.’
‘Well, if it is, we don’t have to worry because Wilfred will be far away from here by now.’
The words had barely left her lips when the door
opened and Wilfred burst into the room. ‘I heard what you said, and you’re wrong. This is my home and you are my wife.’
Judy threw herself between them. ‘Leave my mother alone.’
‘She’s my property, just as this cottage is rented in my name. You can get out, you harlot, but Hilda stays with me.’
Judy picked up her mother’s walking stick and brandished it like a sword. ‘Touch me or Ma and I’ll beat you senseless.’
Hilda cupped her hands round her mouth. ‘Nancy Noon – fetch Constable Fowler.’
Chapter Nine
‘Have you gone mad, wife?’ Wilfred demanded furiously.
Hilda shook her head. ‘Nancy will have her ear to the wall. You’d better be ready to explain yourself to Constable Fowler.’
‘You’re my wife,’ Wilfred said through clenched teeth. ‘And she’s nothing but trouble.’ He advanced on Judy, his hands clenched into fists. ‘You can get out of my house or I’ll fetch you one.’
‘I’m not afraid of you.’ Judy spoke boldly and she stood her ground, but inwardly she was quaking. She was still sore and aching from her last confrontation with her stepfather.
Hilda rushed to Judy’s side. ‘Go to Colneyhurst, Judy. You’ll be safe there. Daisy will take care of you.’
‘I’m not leaving you here with him, Ma.’
‘Please go. He won’t hurt me.’ Hilda cast a wary glance in her husband’s direction. ‘Tell her, Wilfred.’
‘I’m no wife beater,’ Wilfred said sulkily. ‘But you tempted me, girl. You’re a brazen hussy.’
Hilda opened the door and a gust of cool air filled the stuffy room. ‘Go, Judy. I’ll be all right.’
Judy hesitated in the doorway, but Nancy Noon appeared suddenly and peered over her shoulder. ‘What’s going on? Shall I run and fetch Constable Fowler?’
‘No, it’s all right, ta, Nancy,’ Hilda said hastily. ‘Wilfred was larking around and he scared us, but we’re fine now.’
Nancy looked from one to the other. ‘He looks a bit cross. Are you sure he won’t beat you up the minute I turn me back?’